Tall Tales from Kansas

so say I

If you ever find yourself on the coast village road in Montecito, and don’t stop at Rori’s for a cup of brown sugar banana ice cream topped with with candied pecans, you will regret it for the rest of your life. 

Sister and I are in the “live each day with the goal of having no regrets” phase of life.  This means we stopped, we partook, we sighed with delight over each bite, we thanked our lucky stars for friends that have advised us through the years about such places. 
I pass this along to you now in the spirit in which it was shared with us. That is to say, life is meant for living, living means indulging in a modicum of taste treats regularly.
So say I.

low key stuff

Did I tell you I was coming to California?  I meant to. Hanging with Sister. Taking walks. Spending time with Otto and Iris. Low key stuff.

All of it good. More details as the story unfolds… when I get home.

it's not overwhelming joy, or unrestrained happiness,

A week or so ago, there was this poem "Relief" on the Writers Almanac. It made me stop and consider how truly under appreciated the sense of relief can be. The finishing up of a big project, a hard conversation had, the lost pet returning home, the lump that is nothing serious, getting the house cleaned. It's not overwhelming joy, or unrestrained happiness, it's somehow bigger and yet softer, all at the same time. Something that makes you appreciate more the wonderfulness of our ordinary lives. I am sharing it with you here as I applaud Kay Ryan and thank her for bringing relief to my attention. 

 

Relief

by Kay Ryan

We know it is close
to something lofty.
Simply getting over being sick
or finding lost property
has in it the leap,
the purge, the quick humility
of witnessing a birth—
how love seeps up
and retakes the earth.
There is a dreamy
wading feeling to your walk
inside the current
of restored riches,
clocks set back,
disasters averted.

P.S. the poppy photo has nothing to do with relief, it just seemed a shame not to share it too. 

divert off the regular walking route more often

On a recent walk through Burcham park I deviated from my normal out and back route, instead opting for a return trip through a neighborhood. Maybe I haven't been down this street before? Or, perhaps I have just forgotten it. Either way, it was a delightful adventure. 

I love the old iron fences, the larger lawns, the wonderful front porches. 

I did not walk up and knock on any doors to see if someone wanted to come out and chat for a bit. Likely no one would have answered the door. But imagine if I had, and a nice woman of a similar age said, "I was just about to have tea and scones, let me grab an extra cup".

I would admire her lovely flowers and we would talk about books or gardening. Can you even stand how whimsical and fun these big black birds are along the fence?

I am also a fan of the super modern homes that have been designed and built by students in one of the programs up on campus. Love them, right alongside the other old homes. 

This has me wanting to get that strawberry pot out of my garage, stick it on its side in the garden, and let the succulents have at it. 

All the plants on this porch seem especially lovely. 

Note to self: divert off the regular walking route more often. 

this close-up was required

This week at the farmers market there was an ABUNDANCE of cute kids and families. Starting with this little miss - properly outfitted with hat, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, and shopping bag. The gingham romper with frilly sleeves was a bonus. Wear 'em if you got 'em, I always say.

This family rolled in on bikes right as I was walking by. Four kids + 2 parents. Gotta love them.

This family was led to the Chonky bakers creamsicle cake by the exceptionally polite pup.

Cuteness overload in strollers with big sister prepared to keep the babes in line. 

I caught him mid bite with his walking breakfast and he still smiled for me! 

YES! to the cowboy boots and pink shorts.

The produce was just as good looking this week, starting with these adorable mini romaine lettuce heads, followed by the rainbow chard, turnips, garlic scapes, and radishes. 

I almost went for these majestic bouquets of delphiniums, but then spotted the dahlias and had to get them. 

It was a BIG Saturday at the market. Perfect weather, nice people, everything I needed, and then some.

And finally, because there is absolutely no way you can appreciate the moistness of the orange creamsicle cake from that angle of the haul in total, this close-up was required.

if I announce intentions somewhere

On this recent walk at the church of the glassy river, the birds were singing. Singing loudly.  Like really loudly. I am not sure what was causing this escalation in volume. Maybe it was something in me? Maybe it was a bird rally of some sort? Maybe the birds are sick of the authoritarian regime that is attempting to stamp out democracy? Who can say. Just raise your hand if you think the take-down of Senator Alex Padilla was reprehensible and we will be here together. Doing what we can. 

There were puffs of cottony fluff floating down all around from the cottonwood trees. It was super cool, like a slow motion video of snow superimposed on a normal time video of everything else. Close your eyes, I feel certain it will make sense to you.

I came upon a man man who told me I walked faster than he could run, and we both agreed to knock on wood and be grateful that TODAY we were suffering from no ailments/injuries that were keeping us from walking. 

There was some chalk writing on the sidewalk about people who have never known the joy of dancing in the rain. I swear I could smell rain as I read it.

These blooming cone flowers were icing on the cake. 

I was already pretty blissed out by the time I saw them. The good thing is I don't have a lid that automatically snaps shut after seeing so much good stuff. My storage for beauty in the world is limitless. Which is one of my super-powers. 

At the very beginning of this particular walk I always cross these railroad tracks. There is also a set of tracks on the other side of the river providing me with the sounds that always induce thoughts of train travel.

When am I going to get my act together and buy a ticket on the Southwest Chief to Santa Fe and tell Dottie to meet me there for an adventure? Sometimes if I announce intentions somewhere it makes me buckle down and do it. You can be sure I will keep you posted. In the meantime, I am just here, not letting the jackassery take me down completely. 

how great she's going to be on drums

Marti let us know last week during our lunch outing, that she had been thinking we should start a band and call ourselves "Carol and the Huff Girls". I was immediately all in, to the point that I asked Marti if she wanted to be the lead singer or play either the guitar, bass, or drums. She locked on to the role of drummer straight away without blinking an eye. I jumped in next claiming the role of the head vocalist. When Jennifer came back from getting something out of the car, and we filled her in on the idea, she said she wanted to be front and center with the singing. I had to shut her down right away, telling her that was my role. She acquiesced to acoustical guitar without too much pushback, leaving Nancy as the bass player. Nancy countered immediately that she would play the tambourine and just like that, we had a plan worked out. 

I have let them all know that in addition to singing, I would begin to work on getting some gigs lined up for us. As soon as we have a schedule worked out, I will post dates and locations here in the event that you want to be in attendance. It's sure to be a rollicking good time. 

We went to 3rd Street Social on Main in KC for lunch. If you go, GET the TOMATO PIE. It's delicious and not your traditional pie filled with tomatoes. Think open-faced pie with heirloom tomatoes, arugula on top, plus melty cheese. OMG. Our funniest line of conversation was Nancy telling us that Marti had mentioned a dream where she was in a coffin holding something in her hands but she couldn't remember what it was. Someone said something like "what do you think it would be" or "what is something significant you would want it to be" to which Marti replied with her razor sharp humor "I can't remember anything, how could I know that?" To which we all busted out laughing. Marti's lack of perfect recall memory does not play a role in her extreme value to our girl band. Can you even imagine how great she's going to be on drums?

we loved stretching it out

It seems that I have neglected to tell you about some first-class television viewing available right now on Netflix. Allow me to rectify that right this second, and recommend highly that you jump with both feet into The Residence at your earliest opportunity. In the first episode you are presented with a murder and a most impressive cast of potential suspects along with detective Cordelia Cupp who stands right up there with your most favorite detective of all times. Except she is even better. Sharp, quirky, at times brooding, always observing... oh please, please, please, let there be a follow up.  

The show focuses on the staff at the White House along with a few dignitaries, guests, and residents. Oh is it ever a keeper. Both Chris and I gave it two thumbs up right from the outset. The entire cast of this series is brilliant, starting with Uzo Aduba who plays Cordelia, but Edwina Findley steals every scene she is in. Susan Kelechi Watson is the embodiment of restraint and propriety in her role as the person next in line for the job of chief usher after the murder of A.B. Wynter (played by Giancarlo Esposito) who has been threatening to retire. 

This is perfect summer television viewing. Do your best not to binge it... we loved stretching it out and anticipating whodunnit. 

If I pace myself

Will you just look at these teeny tiny flowers mixed in with peonies, iris, and snap dragons. Gosh darn it, they are the cutest things ever and I love how they hold their own against all the show stoppers. 

Right next to them was this arrangement with those lovely pink and white numbers that look like what mom used to call "bachelors buttons". Again, so small and delicate and perfectly perfect. 

Did I say already that they were at the Farmers Market this morning. It seems unnecessary. You know me too well. How about this fellow? He was getting these flowers for his mom. He seems quite pleased with his choice, and why wouldn't he be. His mom is going to LOVE them. 

It was a bit of a rainy morning, but I got my shopping in right after a small shower, and right before the big deluge that hit about an hour or so later. It was a perfect morning at the market. Lots of spring onions for sale, and I got what may be my last pound of asparagus. Chris is grilling something tonight, baking a potato, and the asparagus will be the perfect addition. 

This little guy was so excited about what he was holding in that bag he almost couldn't stand it. He was a gracious gentleman when I asked for his picture. I wish I would have captured the Spiderman slides on his feet.

In case you are wondering what he had in the bag... Rainbow Cake! Which you might think looks completely cheesy and not at all delicious but I am telling you it makes me happy every year. Each layer is distinctly different from the other and it makes me as giddy as it did my new friend. 

She was not at all sure what to make of me when I asked which was her favorite juice at Liquid Garden today. The ladies behind her were waiting to get her input before making their choices. 

She declared the strawberry limeade to be quite tasty. 

I brought home my first basket of local blueberries today, along with radishes, fennel, juice, cake, scones, a cucumber, lettuce mix, and peonies.

Quite a bounty. I think it will just get me through the week. If I pace myself. 

a time in the future when he will feel that it might be just the ticket

This visitor appeared on the front porch this week. His name is Barry.  He is one of the Harvey boys that lives a few doors down. We generally run into each other out back when I see him walking across the wall in back of my house and I rush out to speak to him, provide petting along with the muttering of sweet endearments... you get the idea.

But the front porch is GOOD. It's where Chris and I would have "family time" with Lewis and Clark all those many years ago. When they would jump up on our laps while we sat outside. Ahhh it was glorious.



Barry seems to like the front porch. There was no lap time on this day, but I hold much hope for a time in the future when he will feel that it might be just the ticket. Meanwhile, I have patience beyond anything you might imagine possible. When it comes to the love of a cat, they are the ones in the drivers seat. Best not to attempt to speed up the process.

On another note, did you watch the commencement speech Abraham Verghese gave at Harvard? Sharron told me about it. She tells me about many good things. I loved hearing his perspectives on why he loves this country, the great value of immigrants, and his hope that we will move through these times. 

 

We need stuff like this. Hope and cats. 

you take what you can get

This oak leaf hydrangea is having a banner year. It is big, beautiful, and performing beyond all the expectations I had for it when I planted it almost 20 years ago. It is hard for me to believe that we have been living in THIS house since 2005. It's the longest time I have ever lived in one house. Ever. 

It has completely filled in providing great privacy for that side of the front porch. 

This might be the angle that best shows off it's great proportions.

The thing about this hydrangea is that even after the flowers turn from white to a creamy tan/pinkish color they look great for the rest of the season and into the fall. Win, win, win. One of my most successful initial plantings here. Yes, I am patting myself on the back, even though I am pretty sure it's all a matter of dumb luck. You take what you can get. 

notes on the recipe for next time

If you are wondering about the lack of a farmers market post this week, my usual visit was unable to be completed because my regular job got in the way. I shall endeavor to make it through the week without my usual supply of local produce, juice, and baked goods. And while I am on the topic of baking... 

I needed to make these Morning Glory Muffins again before too much time passed since I made them in March.While they rated a score of satisfactory at that time, I remembered them being better than that. Nobody wants to settle for a mediocre score on a muffin. I determined (using my extensive baking experience) that the recipe called for too long of a baking time, and I had substituted coconut chips instead of flakes to save a trip to the store. 

The result with the modification of a shorter cooking time and shredded coconut was a superior muffin, more in line with how flavorful and moist I recall them being when I used to make them in the past. 

I made corrections on my old recipe so as to avoid a less than stellar muffin when next I make them. There are many variation of the Morning Glory Muffin.  This is the one I used.  If you believe you have one that could, possibly, might, be better? Send it to me! Please and thanks.